SPARKLEY CLEAN FUNERAL SINGERS Next at CCP

By: Jeffrey Ellis Mar. 24, 2016

The cast and creatives of The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers, left to right: Bill Frey, Britt Hancock, playwright/actor Lori Fischer, director Bryce McDonald, Weslie Webster and music director Ron Murphy.

On Friday, April 1, Cumberland County Playhouse presents the Southern Premiere of a new musical comedy by Lori Fischer (Barbara's Blue Kitchen) and Don Chaffer, The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers! CCP's producing director Bryce McDonald will direct the show, which had its world premiere at the Capital Repertory Theatre in 2013.

"Lori has been working non-stop on rewrites for our new production," says McDonald. "This new version is even funnier - and more touching - than the original. And is literally tailor-made for our wonderful cast."

The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers centers around the Lashley Sisters, a country-singing duo whose star was on the rise (with hit tunes like "Big Boned Dreams, Tiny Tambourines") until the publicity surrounding an accident brought their careers to a screeching halt. It seems Lashley Lee Lashley (Weslie Webster) was driving the band's tour bus while under the influence.

Now the girls are back in their hometown of Ashland City, where sister Junie (playwright Fischer) has taken over the family business, The Sparkley Clean Dry Cleaners. She also takes care of her father Lyle (Bill Frey), who's been having trouble remembering things lately. With Lashley fresh out of rehab and Junie up to her elbows in laundry, a professional comeback for the Lashley Sisters seems unlikely. That is, until Pastor Phil (Britt Hancock) of the Third United Separated Harmony Church informs them that Bindy Moss, the church's Funeral Singer, has gone to her eternal rest and asks them to take over the job. Junie pens the unforgettable tune "Bindy, Take A Seat At The Banquet Table (Cause There's No Need For Food Drives In Heaven)" and together with a reluctant Lashley, starts the sisters on a new career path: performing personalized sendoffs for the dearly departed!

Will Lashley be able to stay clean and sober? Will Junie be able to juggle her taking care of the business - and her father - while writing her unique funeral songs? And will the Lashley Sisters make it back to Nashville? Audiences can find out beginning April 1, in The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers, an unforgettable new musical comedy that's equally hilarious and heartwarming.

The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers runs through May 28. Tickets may be obtained by calling (931) 484-5000 or at www.ccplayhouse.com.

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